Barbara Sissel

Barbara Sissel – Editor

Bestselling author and long-time developmental editor. I love helping authors hone their voice and tell their story!

Overview

As both an author and an editor, I am able to bring a wide range of skills to my work. In addition to working as a developmental editor for a regional Texas press, I have also worked with unpublished and established award-winning published authors across multiple genres. I am also the author of women's fiction and suspense novels, Evidence of Life and My Brother's Keeper, Harlequin/Mira, Crooked Little Lies, Faultlines, The Truth We bury, What Lies Below and Tell No One, Lake Union Publishing. In my 15+ years in the profession, I've learned what agents and publishers are looking for, and it's by relying on that experience that I'm able to help writers prepare their manuscripts for submission or publication. I love helping authors find and shape the story they want to tell.

Praise:

"Over the many years I’ve worked with her, Barbara S's unerring sense of story, her keen eye for detail, and her insightful and supportive editorial comments have proven a godsend in helping me prepare dozens of novels for submission. I can’t recommend her highly enough."
—Colleen Thompson, author of The Off Season


"As a fan of her books, I'm in awe of Barbara's flawless story instincts. As a working writer, I value the generous spirit, laser-precise critique, and experienced hand she brings to developmental editing. I look forward to working with her again."
—Joni Rodgers, NYT bestselling author/ghostwriter


"Barbara S evaluates manuscripts with great insight, expertise and compassion. As a bestselling author, she understands all aspects of the craft of writing and editing fiction. Highly recommended!"
—A. J. Banner, #1 Kindle, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author


"Having Barbara S edit your manuscript is like taking a master class in story structure at a bargain price. While still respecting my vision, she was able to help me see the flaws in my story and even offered appropriate solutions that improved the novel. Barbara's editing recommendations were professional, comprehensive and insightful. I highly recommend her services as an editor and I look forward to working with her again."
—Karen McQuestion, bestselling author of The Moonlight Child


Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Legal Thriller Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller Romantic Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2020 — Present

As a developmental editor I assist my clients in shaping their fully finished manuscripts, fine-tuning their writing to protect and preserve their unique story-telling voice. Ultimately, my thrill is to see each book I edit break into print.

Panther Creek Press

Feb, 2011 — Sep, 2013 (over 2 years)

Before my own author career took off, consuming most of my time, I reviewed manuscript submissions for this small regional press and wrote the final rejection/acceptance letters. I also worked as a developmental editor on accepted manuscripts.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
A Limited Run

McQuestion, Karen

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
The Moonlight Child

McQuestion, Karen

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Creation of Music

Bell, Britian

Candor Publishing Group

Made with Reedsy
Then They Came for Harry

Campbell, Gary

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Safe Keeping

Sissel, Barbara Taylor

The Truth We Bury: A Novel

Taylor Sissel, Barbara

Tell No One: A Novel

Taylor Sissel, Barbara

Faultlines

Sissel, Barbara Taylor

Evidence of Life

Sissel, Barbara Taylor

What Lies Below: A Novel

Taylor Sissel, Barbara

Crooked Little Lies

Sissel, Barbara Taylor

Sugarland

Rodgers, Joni

The Hurricane Lover

Rodgers, Joni

The Dark Hour

Young, K.J.

Head on

Thompson, Colleen

The Off Season

Thompson, Colleen

Barbara has 20 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Cathy T.

Cathy T.

Aug, 2024

My experience working with Barbara could not have been better! When we began the collaboration, she said that she would know my novel as well as I did when she finished it, and she wasn't kidding! When I received the edited version, I couldn't believe how thorough and detailed it was. She had an amazing grasp of all the characters, and offered many insightful suggestions on how to deepen th...
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Britian B.

Britian B.

Feb, 2024

Barbara's wealth of knowledge and acumen for story structure is precisely what gives me confidence that my novel is the absolute best it can be. She picked apart every single detail, and exposed even the tiniest flaws so that revisions could be as efficient as possible and truly improve the story.
Jeffrey H.

Jeffrey H.

Oct, 2023

Barbara's work on my 57,000 word psychological mystery was superb. Her assessment illuminated areas that needed improvement. And her line editing was excellent. Highly recommended!
Tyler S.

Tyler S.

Sep, 2023

My experience working with Barbara was great. She really went above and beyond to make sure my book reaches its full potential!
Lisa H.

Lisa H.

Jun, 2023

Barbara answered my questions and provided lots of vital ideas to improve my manuscript. I appreciate the assessment letter that accompanied the manuscript, giving a summary of her observations and suggestions.

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